Jason Hope – Entrepreneur, Futurist, Philanthropist and Investor

Entrepreneurs should keep their focus on one project at a time. New entrepreneurs have the habit of jumping to every little opportunity that comes along and they totally neglect their main project.

Jason Hope has earned a reputation as skilled futurist. With a passion for and clear understanding of technology, he uses that knowledge to watch the industry and make predictions about where the future of technology is heading.

Based on current technological trends, Hope believes that the power of the Internet of Things (also known as IoT) may be an important player in the future of modern society, as a growing number of devices become connected devices.

Hope’s advice and insights about technology is helpful to modern businesses and individuals who are looking for the best possible ways to capitalize on that technology in the future. As an Arizona native, Jason Hope grew up in Tempe and received a degree in finance from Arizona State University, and an MBA from ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

Where did the idea for your grant program come from?

I understand that getting a business idea off the ground is difficult for young students or entrepreneurs. Some young minds have amazing ideas, but the state of the economy would not allow them to save enough money to get started. Even the $500 that I give to some grantees has gone went a long way.

I take in business ideas through my official website and I cherry pick the most interesting Ideas that I see. The future of the technology industry depends on the great ideas that our young aspiring entrepreneurs come up with.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I start every day with a healthy breakfast and some physical activity. I have a daily routine of checking my emails, messages and social media accounts when I first login to my computer. I take breaks periodically from the computer to maintain composure.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I like to start by keeping things basic. Over-complicating ideas will only waste time and encourage failure. I also communicate my ideas with people that are very close to me to receive feedback. Every task or project I work on is one step at a time.

What’s one trend that really excites you?

The fact that IoT technology (also known as the “Internet of Things”) is becoming viable really excites me. It will not be long before every home in the developed world will be dependent on their IoT connected devices. There are already many great products lined up to be released in 2017.

There are IoT devices that monitor and adjust lighting and room temperature using sensors. There are also IoT devices that monitor biometrics and fitness – this is where I see IoT making a huge difference in our society.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I like to envision a greater longterm meaning to all of my ideas. I have great faith in every entrepreneurial and philanthropic project that I have put forward and I never doubt that.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self not to obsess over small details and look at the greater picture. I felt burnt out on a lot of the projects I worked on when I was younger because I would over stress the meaningless details. Now I like to focus on the big picture while tackling each smaller step one by one.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?

I believe that aging can be reversed with drugs at work at the cellular level. A lot of ground has been covered with the research by the SENS Research Foundation, a foundation that I have donated to.

Some of the research in this field requires the usage of stem cells. There are some people who are morally against this, typically for religious reasons, but this is where medical research is headed and someone needs to be at the forefront of it all.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Entrepreneurs should keep their focus on one project at a time. New entrepreneurs have the habit of jumping to every little opportunity that comes along and they totally neglect their main project. Abandoning your primary source of income is always a bad idea, even if you believe the grass is greener on the other side.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.

I keep in close contact with all the referrals and market contacts I come across. Most of my success is from knowing the right people at the right time. Networking is a must for any entrepreneur. I don’t believe in burning bridges.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I had a few fallouts with clients when I first started Mobile Technology. I try my best not to dwell on any failures that I had made when I was younger. I always focus on the big picture, and because of this I am always moving forward. Failure is always expected in the world of business and we can only learn from our mistakes.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Internet marketing, SEO and social media related services are always in demand these days. Learn these skills and you can start your own business. It does not take much money to set up a website and market your services these days.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The Under Armour Gemini 2 are IoT shoes that can track fitness progress and goals. This product is around the $100 mark and I think it is a great product that displays the potential of IoT. I use this product in my daily running routine and it helps me keep track of my fitness journey.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Mobile applications that help me to keep organized with my business projects are absolutely vital. As I take on more responsibilities, it is harder to keep track of everything going on in my life.

ASANA is a great piece of software that helps manage my projects. I am able to organize tasks, deadlines and files using this software. It is also available for my cellphone.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies“ by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee is a great book about IoT concepts. This book depicts how our lives will be managed by intelligent devices. The book also goes over what kind of devices we may expect to see in personal electronics and business applications. It is no secret that I am an enthusiast of Internet of Things based technology, so I just had to recommend this book. Everyone should read it.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is by the entrepreneur Nolan Bushnell. “The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.”